"Cancellation of appointment and trying to get another"

I am a patient at South Tyneside District Hospital. Every year I see the same doctor for a follow up. I came out of last year’s appointment and made another straight away a date in September 2010.

However on my return from holiday I found I have 4 letters making 4 different appointments ranging from November the original date and then back to November and the final one for a date in January 2011.

When I rang up and asked why, I was told that a doctor - not mine- had left a week early so everyone on this week had to be moved. I told them I was not happy especially as I had booked it a year in advance.

I also asked did everyone on either side of this week get their appointments as booked and was told yes.

I was put through to my doctor’s secretary who was very sympathetic and said she would have a word with the doctor.

I rang back a few days later was told that she had a word with my doctor and she was trying to get me another appointment before the end of the year and would get back to me.

By this time I was a bit annoyed and rang another section to voice my complaint.

My doctor’s secretary rang me back 3 days later and told me that my doctor had said I was only a follow up appointment and that I would have to take the January appointment. I told her that this was no good to me as I would be on holiday.

It was left that I have no appointment now and will probably have to wait until after January.

Thinking about this I have decided to get this doctor discharge me. If I have trouble in the future I will see my GP and get him to put me in touch with another hospital in either Newcastle or Sunderland.